Things to do this summer: July

Andy Stanton, just one of the amazing children's authors you could meet this summer! Photograph: Andy Stanton Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Missed out on tickets for the Edinburgh festival? Bored with sport already? Don't worry - it's an Olympic summer of reading, and there's a whole host of children's events taking place up and down the country. Find an event near you!

Here's our 10 of the best:

July 6 - Lichfield Festival: Universarama!What is the universe? How big is it? And most importantly, do aliens exist? All these questions and more may or may not be answered as Professor Johnson informs and entertains - using just puppets, household objects and fruit!

July 7 - Aylesbury: The Roald Dahl festivalThe festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and for the first time ever every single one of Roald Dahl's stories will be featured in this amazing show. And, for one year only, the Roald Dahl Games are in town! Can you toss a snozzcumber?

July 7 - London: Andy Stanton at the London Literature FestivalIs Mr Gum based on a real person? Are any of the stories actually true? The hilarious Andy Stanton talks about being a writer and where his inspiration comes from. This side-stichingly funny show will be followed by book signings.

July 8 - Westmeon, Hampshire: Westmeon FestivalAli Sparkes, author of Frozen in Time, will be talking about her book, when the 1950s meets the 21st century. But you can only come if you've dressed up... Then join illustrator Pete Williamson (the Raven Mysteries) for a drawing masterclass.Plus, you've read the books, but how much do you know about the man behind them? Maggie Fergusson will be talking about her new biography of Michael Morpurgo, War Child to War Horse.

July 9 - Lichfield Festival: Wonderland Welcome to Wonderland, a magical place of games, a Mad Hatter's hat parade and a teapot treasure trail. Bring a hamper and have your very own tea party - do you know why a raven is like a writing desk? And the best bit is, you don't need to do all that nasty tumbling down the rabbit hole to get there!And if you are mad as a hatter about Alice, head up to Yorkshire as Harrogate Theatre puts on their own version of the tall tale - but what is their modern twist on the classic story? Go along to find out!

July 12 Lichfield: Michael Rosen: Quick Let's Get Out of Here! (July 12)Rhymes at the ready, the much-loved children's poet will be introducing children to the weird and wacky world of woolly saucepans, breathing clothes and melting cars!Michael Rosen will also be at the Children's Bookshop at Muswell Hill, London on July 14 for book signings

July 16 - Waterstones, Piccadilly, London: Meet Harlan CobenThe crime writer will be talking about his first YA book Shelter, and giving you a sneak peak of his new book, Stay Close. Also visiting Waterstones stores in Birmingham (July 17) and Manchester (July 19)

July 19 - 22 - Port Eliot, Cornwall: The House of Fairy Tales Part of the Port Eliot festival, children can explore local myth and legend through play, performance and, best of all, puppets!July 25 - 26 - Harrogate: Peppa Pig Treasure HuntPuppets, singalongs, a treasure hunt on grandad's dog's boat - what more could your little ones want in one afternoon?

July 28 - Waterstones, Market Harborough, Leicestershire: Meet Tracey Corderoy Do you know what you get if you say no to a princess? A grunch and a grouch! The much-loved picture-book author will present an afternoon of fun, crafts and story-telling. You'd better get your set or it'll be Hubble Bubble, Granny Trouble!Also visiting Waterstones in Birmingham (August 4)

Keep an eye out for:

• The Twits are going on tour! How good are your kids at practical jokes? They have much to learn: wormy spaghetti, sticky trees and the infamous staring glass eye... Look at the schedule and see if they're bringing havoc to a stage near you!• National Bookstart Week may be behind us, but Bookstart Bear has a jam-packed summer lined up, with events in libraries across the country. Support yours now, with bundles of fun into the bargain! • It may be called Seven Stories, but there's no limit to the amount of fun that can be had this summer in Newcastle. There's a little bit of everything at the home of children's books

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